Van Persie sale keeps Arsenal in profit as Wenger looks to splash the cash on big-name striker in January

Arsenal have announced a pre-tax profit of £6.7million after the sale of striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United last summer.

The figure covers the year to the end of May and represents a huge decrease on the £36.6million made a year earlier.

Van Persie's departure to the eventual
champions fuelled anger among Arsenal fans at the way the club, majority
owned by American Stan Kroenke, was being run.

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However, the Gunners finished fourth to clinch a spot in the lucrative Champions League for a 16th successive season.

A strong start to the current season
and the record £42million signing of German playmaker Mesut Ozil from
Real Madrid have further lifted the mood.

Arsene Wenger bagged a £47million
pound profit on the sales of Van Persie and Alex Song, who moved to
Barcelona. However, the club said it invested £58.7 million pounds on
new talent and extending contracts.

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The purchase of Ozil was completed after the figures were complied.

The north London outfit currently
lead the Premier League as they seek a first major trophy since winning
the FA Cup in 2005, with Wenger expected to chase a big-name striker in
January.

The Gunners failed with moves for
Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain over the summer but Wenger
will have the funds to pull off another Ozil-size transfer when the
window reopens.